ISO-New England says electric grid ready for winter demand

HOLYOKE, Mass. >> New England’s electric grid operator says consumers can expect to have enough electricity to run their heating systems this winter.

But ISO-New England said Wednesday that the region’s increased reliance on natural gas is making the region vulnerable to delivery problems during periods of extreme cold.

ISO says most natural gas-fired generators do not hold long-term fuel-delivery contracts but instead rely on local gas companies that may not have gas available when demand is high. The ISO then dispatches oil- and coal-fired power plants, which are more costly and run infrequently.

For this winter, ISO has secured nearly 2 million megawatt-hours of energy from oil-fired generators, oil- and natural gas-fired generators and energy-saving agreements with companies to reduce power if asked. ISO calls it an insurance policy for New England.